Tool container

ABSTRACT

A tool container includes a receiving case with its upper end open and an outer bag with a hang portion, and the receiving case is insertable to and removable from the outer bag. The invention provides a tool container in which, in case of changing articles in the tool container, a worker does not have to put his or her hand or hands into the tool container, or the tool container does not have to be turned upside down, which prevents the worker from being wounded in the hand and which prevents taken-out articles from being damaged or scattering. Further articles in a pocket won&#39;t fall out inadvertently. While the container being hung on a worker&#39;s waist belt, the worker can readily change articles in the tool container. When having sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives and the like in the tool container, a bottom of the tool container won&#39;t tear and fall out.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tool container, used in electric work and building construction, which holds various articles necessary for a certain work, such as wiring tools and materials, hardware, mending and tying tools and materials, bits, nails, screws and the like, and various work tools such as screwdrivers, spanners, cutting pliers, knives and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

One of known examples of this type of tool containers is shown in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3012321. As shown in FIG. 11, the tool container is made of relatively strong material such as shape-retainable leather or thick cloth, and includes a bag body 21 with its upper face open. An outer face of the bag body is provided with pockets 22 and 23 to hold various tools, a hang-on-belt portion 24 to be hung on a worker's waist belt, and further at a certain position a telecommunication device pocket 26 with a flap to hold a portable telecommunication device 25.

In this known tool container, various articles such as wiring tools and materials, hardware, mending and tying tools and materials, bits, nails, and screws and the like necessary for work can be received in the bag body 21.

The foregoing known tool container with the above structure has benefits; e.g. a portable telecommunication device 25 can be held individually, safely, and reliably separated from tools and other articles received in the container, and the portable telecommunication device 25 can easily be taken in and out the container, which allows convenient use thereof at a treacherous high site.

In use of this kind of tool container, since necessary articles vary depending on a type of work, such as an electric work and a building construction work, articles in the tool container must be replaced with the articles necessary for each required work.

In the conventional tool container, in replacing the articles held in the bag body 21, the articles therein can be taken out from the bag body 21 only when a worker puts his or her hand or hands into the bag body 21 and takes the articles out or the bag body 21 is turned upside down.

Therefore, there are the following problems in the prior tool container. Putting a worker's hand or hands into the bag body 21, he or she is likely to touch sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives or the like, and is thereby wounded in the hand. When the bag body 21 is turned upside down, with the force at that time, the articles fallen out from the bag body 21 are prone to be damaged or scatter.

There is an additional problem in the above prior tool container. The articles held in the pockets 22 and 23 of the bag body 21 also fall down when the bag body 21 is turned upside down.

A further additional problem is that, while the tool container is being hung on a wearer's waist belt, the bag body 21 cannot be turned upside down to take out the articles from the bag 21.

Furthermore, in the above prior tool container, although the bag body 21 is made of relatively strong material, a bottom of the bag body 21 is still likely to tear or fall out when sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives and the like are received therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a tool container to solve the foregoing problems. Specifically, objects of the present invention are to provide a tool container into which a worker does not have to put his or her hand or hands to take the articles therein out or which he or she doesn't have to turn upside down when replacing articles in the tool container, in which a worker won't be wounded in the hand, taken-out articles are not damaged or scatter, articles in a pocket do not fall out inadvertently, further articles in the container can easily be replaced while the container is in use being hung on a worker's waist belt, and still furthermore a bottom of the container won't tear or fall out while holding sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives and the like.

A tool container according to the present invention includes a receiving case with its upper face open and an outer bag with a hang portion, and the receiving case is retained in the outer bag insertably and removably.

A tool container according to the present invention may include plural receiving cases with their upper faces open and an outer bag with a hang portion, and one of the plural receiving cases is retained in the outer bag insertably and removably.

In the tool container according to the present invention, an open end portion of the receiving case and that of the outer bag are detachably attached to each other.

In the tool container according to the present invention, in order to detachably attach the open end portions of the receiving case and the outer bag, a rear end portion of a tab in which a front tip portion is one side of a surface-bonding fastener is fixed to the open end portion area of the receiving case, the other side of the surface-bonding fastener is fixed to the open end portion area of the outer bag, and the one side of the face-bonding faster is detachably bonded with the other side thereof.

In the tool container according to the present invention, the hang portion is a hang-on-belt portion.

In the tool container according to the present invention, the hang portion may be a hang-on-shoulder-belt portion.

Being structured as stated above, the tool container of the present invention can hold necessary articles such as wiring tool and material, hardware, mending and tying tool and materials, bits, nails, screws and the like depending on the type of works in an electric work and a construction work, and the receiving case which holds necessary articles for a specific work can be used, and the receiving case can be replaced by another receiving case which holds necessary articles for other specific work. Therefore, when replacement of the articles becomes in need, a worker won't be wounded in the hand, taken-out articles won't be damaged or scatter. Additionally, articles kept in the pocket portion won't fall out inadvertently, and the receiving case can easily be replaced with other receiving case while the tool container is in use being hung on a wearer's waist belt. Furthermore, when sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives and the like are held, the bottom of the tool container won't tear or fall out, which imparts excellent durability to the tool container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a tool container according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the tool container according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing still another embodiment of the tool container according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a tool container of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing an example of a state in which a receiving case of the tool container of the invention is retained in an outer bag.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing another example of a state in which the receiving case of the tool container of the invention is retained in the outer bag.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing still another example of a state in which the receiving case of the tool container of the invention is retained in the outer bag.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the receiving case of the tool container according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tool container of the invention is hung on a waist belt.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tool container of the invention is hung on a shoulder belt.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional tool container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS preferred embodiments of a tool container according to the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a tool container according to the invention includes a receiving case 1 with its upper face open and in a form of a box, and an outer bag 2 with its upper face open and provided with a hang portion H. The receiving case 1 is retained in the outer bag 2 insertably and removably, while an open end portion la of the receiving case 1 is detachably attached to an open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool container of the invention includes plural replaceable receiving cases 1 with their upper faces open and in the form of a box, and an outer bag 2 with its upper end open and provided with a hang portion H. One of the plural receiving cases 1 is retained in the outer bag 2 removably, and the open end portion la of the receiving case 1 is detachably attached to the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the tool container of the invention can also be formed to retain two receiving cases 1 in the outer bag 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiving case 1 has a size so that only one receiving case 1 can be retained in the outer bag 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the receiving case 1 has a size so that two receiving cases 1 can be retained in the outer bag 2 side by side. Although not shown, the receiving case 1 may have a size so that three or more of them 1 are arbitrarily arranged in the outer bag 2. A plural receiving cases 1 having different sizes can also be used. The receiving cases 1 may be provided in the number no less than the number to be retained in the outer bag 2 and used selectively accordingly to the necessity. In the drawings, the receiving case 1 is formed in a box shape, but not limitative thereto, and may be formed in various shapes such as a cylinder and a square rod with a bottom.

The upper face of the outer bag 2 may be closed, instead of being open. In order to make the upper face of the outer bag 2 closed, a cover member (not shown) may be provided at the open end portion 2 a; the cover member may be, for example, an openable cover member (not shown) to be opened and closed by means of opening and closing a fastener or an openable cover member to be opened and closed by means of tightening and loosening a string or strings. Providing such a cover member 13 on the outer bag 2, in case of doing various works such as an electric work and a building work, articles kept in the receiving case 1 will not fall out, even if a worker largely swings or extremely inclines the tool container.

In the drawings, the open end portion la of the receiving case 1 is detachably attached to the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2. Alternatively, without making the open end portions detachably from each other, it may be sufficient that the receiving case 1 is simply retained in outer bag 2 insertably and removably.

When the receiving case 1 is retained in the outer bag 2, the open end portion la of the receiving case 1 and that 2 a of the outer bag 2 are flush with each other as shown in FIG. 5. The open end portion la of the receiving case 1 may also be raised up higher than the level of the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2 as shown in FIG. 6, or alternatively as shown in FIG. 7, the open end portion la of the receiving case 1 may be lowered down from the level of the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2.

The receiving case 1 may be provided with a protrusion on the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case 1 or a hole near the open end portion 1 a thereof, which allows to catch the receiving case 1 by a user's hand or hands or his or her thumb and fingers when inserting or pulling the receiving case 1 into or from the outer bag 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a flange-shape protrusion P may be provided on the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case which is raised up higher from the level of the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion may be formed by projecting part of the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case 1, the open end portion 1 a being lowered down from the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2. Another form may be a laterally elongated round hole h provided near the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case 1, as shown in FIG. 8

The receiving case 1 is formed in a box-shape body made of metal or synthetic resin so as not to be damaged even if sharp articles such as bits, nails, knives and the like are held and sharp parts thereof come in touch with the receiving case 1. In case metal is used for the receiving case 1, a lightweight metal such as an aluminum alloy is preferable.

The outer bag 2 is made of material which can and cannot retain the shape and examples of the material include canvas, natural leather, synthetic leather, synthetic resin, synthetic fiber, and a composite material combining any of them. A pocket or pockets 3 are provided in a front face and a side face of the outer bag 2 for receiving various tools such as screwdrivers, spanners, and cutting pliers. Even if the outer bag 2 is made of the material which cannot retain the shape, when the receiving case 1 is retained in the outer bag 2, the shape of the outer bag 2 can be retained by the receiving case 1. Therefore, without losing its shape during use, the receiving case 1 can easily be inserted into and pulled out from the outer bag 2.

In order to detachably attach the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case 1 and the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2, the whole or at least a front tip end portion 4 a of a catch tab 4 is provided with one side 5 a of a surface-bonding fastener 5, and an opposite rear end portion 4 b of the catch tab 4 is fixed to the open end portion la area of the receiving case 1 with a rivet or the like, and the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 is fixed with the open end portion 2 a area of the outer bag 2 by bonding or the like, and the one side 5 a and the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 are detachably attached to each other. The one side Sa and the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 mean, for example, one side and the other side of a pair of detachable pieces in which one has hook members and the other had loop members. The pair of detachable pieces may be alternatively the one in which one and the other respectively have both hook and loop members mixed. In place of the surface-bonding fattener 5, a combination of a hook and a button may be used. Specifically, one of a hook and a button is attached to the tip end portion 4 a of the catch tab 4 while the other of the hook and the button is attached to the open end portion 2 a area of the outer bag 2, and thereby the open end portion 1 a of the receiving case 1 and the open end portion 2 a of the outer bag 2 can be detachably engaged with each other. In the tool container of the invention having the above structure, the receiving case 1 sitting in the outer bag 2 is prevented from falling out from the outer bag 2 during the work, and the receiving case 1 can be pulled out from the outer bag 2 by the catch tab 4 being caught and lifted, and replaced with another receiving case 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the hang portion H can be formed as a hang-on-belt portion 7 to be hung on a waist belt 6. The hang portion 7 is formed in a through-hole shape in the backside of the outer bag 2, and the waist belt 6 passes therethrough. The hang portion 7 may have another appropriate structure such as a hook shape structure to be hung on the waist belt 6. With the structure stated above, the tool container of the invention can be used while being hung on the waist belt 6 on a worker's waist at various works such as an electric work and a building or construction work.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hang portion H can be formed as a hang-on-shoulder-belt portion 9 to be hung on a shoulder belt 8. The hang portion 9 is formed in the through-hole shape in the backside of the outer bag 2 in which a support rod 9 a pierces through the hang portion 9, and the both ends of the support rod 9 a are provided with coupling rings 8 a. Another proper structure may be adopted. With the structure stated above, the tool container of the invention can be used by being hung on a shoulder belt 8 on a worker's shoulder at various works such as an electric work and a building or construction work.

In any embodiment of the tool container of the invention having the above structure, each of plural receiving cases 1 in advance receives necessary articles such as wiring machines and materials, hardware, mending and tying machines and materials, nails, screws and the like according to a type of work in an electric work, a building construction work or the like.

For example, in case of wiring work in an electric work, the receiving case 1 having the articles necessary for the wiring work is inserted into the outer bag 2, and one side 5 a of a surface-bonding fastener 5 on the catch tab 4 fixed to the open end portion 1 a area of the receiving case 1 is bonded to the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 fixed to the open end portion 1 a area of the outer bag 2. Then, the receiving case 1 inserted and sitting in the outer bag 2 won't fall out from the outer bag 2 inadvertently if force to draw the case out is given by some chance during the wiring work.

And in case of an electric facility work following the wiring work, the one side 5 a of the surface-bonding fastener 5 is separated from the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 when the catch tab 4 is caught and pulled up, and the catch tab 4 is further lifted up and then the receiving case 1 having the articles necessary for the wiring work is pulled and taken out from the outer bag 2. Next, another receiving case 1 having the articles necessary for the electric facility work is inserted into the outer bag 2, and one side 5 a of the surface-bonding fastener 5 of the catch tab 4 fixed to the open end portion la area of this receiving case 1 is bonded to the other side 5 b of the surface-bonding fastener 5 fixed to the open end portion la area of the outer bag 2. As a result, the receiving case 1 sitting in the outer bag 2 can be readily replaced with another one 1.

In the tool container of the present invention, therefore, in case change of the articles in a receiving case 1 depending on the type or works is necessary, a worker does not have to put his or her hand or hands into the receiving case 2, which prevents him or her from being wounded in the hand. The outer bag does not have to be turned upside down, and the articles taken out won't be damaged and scatter, and furthermore the articles in the pocket 3 won't fall out. In addition, when in use by being hung on a wearer's waist belt, the receiving case 1 may be replaced with another receiving case 1 having necessary different articles. Still furthermore, the receiving case 1 and the outer bag 2 form a doubled bottom structure, and the tool container obtains excellent durability without no tear and no fall-out of both of the bottoms of the receiving case 1 and the outer bag 2, even if sharp articles such as bits, nails or knives are received therein. 

1. A tool container having at least one receiving case with its upper face open and an outer bag with a hang portion wherein the tool container retains the receiving case removably from the outer bag.
 2. A tool container having plural receiving cases with their upper faces open and an outer bag having a hang portion, wherein the tool container retains one of the plural receiving cases removably from the outer bag.
 3. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein an open end portion of the receiving case and an open end portion of the outer bag are attachable with and detachable from each other.
 4. The tool container according to claim 2, wherein an open end portion of the receiving case and an open end portion of the outer bag are attachable with and detachable from each other.
 5. The tool container according to claim 3, wherein a rear end portion of a catch tab which has one side of a surface-bonding fastener 1 at a front end portion is fixed at an open end portion area of the receiving case, other side of the surface-bonding fastener is fixed to an open end portion area of the outer bag, the one side and the other side of the surface-bonding fastener are attachable with and detachable from each other, and the open end portions of the receiving case and the outer bag are attachable with and detachable from each other.
 6. The tool container according to claim 4, wherein a rear end portion of a catch tab which has one side of a surface-bonding fastener 1 at a front end portion is fixed at an open end portion area of the receiving case, other side of the surface-bonding fastener is fixed to an open end portion area of the outer bag, the one side and the other side of the surface-bonding fastener are attachable with and detachable from each other, and the open end portions of the receiving case and the outer bag are attachable with and detachable from each other.
 7. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 8. The tool container according to claim 2, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 9. The tool container according to claim 3, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 10. The tool container according to claim 4, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 11. The tool container according to claim 5, wherein he hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 12. The tool container according to claim 6, wherein he hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a waist belt.
 13. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt.
 14. The tool container according to claim 2, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt.
 15. The tool container according to claim 3, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt.
 16. The tool container according to claim 4, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt.
 17. The tool container according to claim 5, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt.
 18. The tool container according to claim 6, wherein the hang portion is a hang portion to be hung on a shoulder belt. 